Gas generator



GAS GENERATOR Filed NOV. 13, 1931 bination with means for mixin Patented May 2, 1933 PATENT o Fma WILLLAJE I. PAQUE'I'IE, OF ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA GAS GENERATOR Application filed rovember 1a, 1931. Serial No. 574,849.

This invention relatesto a generating apparatus for generating combustible gases from volatile liquids such as gasolene, casing-head gasolene and other volatile petroleum by- 5 products. The apparatus described herein is designed for the production of gaseous fuels for heating, for illumination, for use in refrigerating apparatus, gas furnaces and for other purposes where gas is used for the generation of heat.

The apparatus of the generator forming the basis of the invention disclosed here n consists essentially of a supply of liquid fuel, a carburetor and a gas holder 1n comair with the liquid fuel to form a combusti le gas. It is also an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which is periodically operable to generate a given quantity of gas and then stop generation until the quantity has been consumed,.whereupon the apparatus is'automatically set into operation to repeat the operation. An important feature of the invention resides in the particular type of carburetor employed which is combined with the fuel'supply tank and is designed toloperate upon a predetermined small quantity of I fuel which isautomatically replenished upon stopping of the generating action which is brought about when the gas holder is filled. The generation of gas is automatically controlled by the quantity of gas stored in the gas holder. When the gas is exhausted from the holder the generation of gas is agam 5 automatically commenced and continuation until the holder is filled whereupon the generation of gas is stopped automatically.

The gas is generated by forcing air through a limited quantity of liquid fuel which forms a rich gaseous mixture and injecting into this mixture fresh or raw air as it passes upwardly through a zig-zag path in the upper part of the carburetor. As the gas passes out of the carburetor into the holder it is in a thoroughly mixed condition and suitable'for use.

By the particular construction and arrangement of the carburetor with respect to the fuel tank operation on a comparatively small part of' the fuel takes place at any parcontrolling the motor which forces the air into the fuel in the carburetor. This switch as illustrated isof the mercury type and is so constructed that when the gas in the gas holder is almost exhausted the switch will be moved into closed circuit position to start operation of tlie'motor which forces the air into the carburetor. When the gas generator fills the holder to its full capacity the switch is automatically moved to' open position by means attached to the gas holder. In the event the motor does not start due to the position of the gas holder when the gas is almost exhausted further consumption of gas will lower the gas holder into a position in which the control mechanism for the switch will move the switch to open position. Under these conditions it will be necessary to inspect the motor circuit and reset the switch in operative position by hand. This particular arrangement of switch under control of the gas holder produces a very desirable safety device in gas generating plants of the character herein described.

Referring to the drawing, which is made a part of this application and in which similar reference characters indicate similar parts.

Fig. 1 shows a view of the apparatus with parts of the carburetor and gas holder in B5 sections and Figf2 'is a detailed view of the switch and its control mechanisms. I

In Fig. 10f the drawing there is disclosed 'on the right side a sectional view of a gas holder having a water filled tank 1 within oval shape in cross-section and is provided with the usual filler pipe 5 for filling the tank when the same is located under ground as is the usual practice where volatile fuels, are stored for any length of time. The oval shape of the tank renders it suitable for location below the surface and being of short vertical diameter with respect to its width and length it does not require a very deep opening for location below the surface of the ground. The carburetor 4 as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a cylindrical tank closed at the top and bottom and extending through the upper portion of the fuel tank 3 to which it may be soldered or welded as indicated at 6. This shell 4 need not however be circular in cross-section. The upper portion of the carburetor is provided with a plurality of pans 7 located one above the other and providing a substantial space therebetween and which are provided on opposite sides with openings 8 to provide a long path of travel for the gases in moving from the surface of the fuel in the bottom of the casing 4 outwardly to the gas pipe 9. Alternate pans 7 have the openings 8 on opposite sides of the chamber within the casing 4. The spaces between the pans 7 are filled with excelsior or a similar material to insure a thorough mixing and drying of the gases as they are forced through the same by pressure developed in the carburetor. To start the generatlon of gas in the carburetor air is forced through pipe 10 into the standard 11 within the carburetor and emerges into the fuel through openings 12in the head 13 on the It will be lower end of the standard 11. noted that these openings 12 are inclined upwardly and away from the standard 11 at an angle of substantially 45. The air bubbling up through the fuel in the carburetor forms a very rich gas which passes upwardly under pressure through the opening 8 in the lower pan 7 and thence through the excelsior packing on the various pans and finally outwardly through the gas pipe 9. The gas as it passes beyond the lower pan 7 is mixed with fresh or raw air which is supplied thereto through openings 14 in the standard 11. These openings 14 are located above the lowest pan 7 and are of such size as to produce the proper mixture and richness of gas dependent upon the volume of air supplied through the openings 12 and the pressure of air supplied to the carburetor. As stated.

above the gas below the pan 7 is a very rich mixture and needs air to be added thereto in order to produce the proper gaseous mixture for useful purposes and this additional air is supplied through the openings 14.

There is indicated at 15 in the lower part of the casing 3 a fiap orcheck covering an opening 16 into the fuel tank. This device is for the purpose of preventing escape of fuel from within the casing 4 when the air pressure is on, and permits fuel to flow from the fuel tank into the lower portion of the casing 4 when the pressure is off. By this arrangement only the fuel within the lower part of the casing 4 is operated upon while the air is being forced into the carburetor. This construction insures that only a small proportion of the stored liquid fuel is operated upon by the air to form a gas during the generating operation. As soon as the gas holder is filled and generation of gas stops the fuel in the tank 3 flows through the opening 16 into the casing 4 until the level in the liquid in both containers is equalized.

As has been above indicated the tank 1 is filled with water substantially to its top for the purpose of forming a liquid seal for the gas holder or bell 2 which floats therein and by its weight or by means of weights placed thereon regulates the pressure of the gas in the gas holder. The gas pipe 9 extends upwardly through the bottom of tank 1 above the level of the water therein and the tank is also provided with a gas outlet pipe 17 which extends to the apparatus to be supplied with gas. The tank 1 and the holder 2 may be made of sheet metal welded together and suitably reinforced to sustain'the pressures imposed therein. Attached to one side of the tank 1 is an air conduit 18 provided with a water seal as indicated at 19. Within the casing 18 there is a partition 20 extend ing from the top of the casing almost to the bottom of the same and providing a conduit between the partition 20 and the tank wall, for the passage for air which is forced down through the water seal 19 below the lower edge of the partition 20 thence upwardly and out through the air pipe 10 and so to the carburetor. This partition 20 serves to provide a double conduit or U-shaped conduit inconnection with the casing 18 and the wall of the tank 1 for the introduction of air through the water seal 19 and this seal19 prevents the return of any gas or air from the carburetor. Above the casing 18 and attached thereto is a motor driven blower, the motor being indicated at 21 and the blower at 22. This mechanism comprises an ordinary motor and blower or fan attached thereto mounted in a suitable casing open at its upper end and having its lower end extending into the passage formed between the partition 20 and the side wall of the tank 1. It will be observed that when the motor is put into operation air will be forced downwardly through the water seal 19 and will then flow upwardly and out through the pipe 10 to the carburetor. When the motor stops operation the water seal 19 prevents the escape of any air or gas from the carburetor. This seal 19 fills a substantial portion of the casing 18 up to the level of the filling device 23. Of course the seal is not limited to water but may comprise I 65 However in the event the motor does not start shown in connection with the tank 1 for the reason that it provides a simple and compact structure.

Attached to the upper portion of the tank 1 is a frame structure 24 supporting two pulleys 25 and 26 over which runs a chain or cable 27 which is attached at 28 to the upper portion of the gas holder 2. To the lower end of the chain 27 is attached a switch control rod 29 provided with upper and lower stops 30 and 31 which may be adjustably arranged thereon for the purpose of controlling the motor control switch which has been generally referred to above. ThlS frame structure 24 need not be of the exact type illustrated in the drawing but should be of such form that a cable or similar device attached to the upper end of the gas holder can reciprocate a switch controlelement such as 29 in respect to the movements of the gas holder up or down as the gas is forced thereln or is exhausted therefrom.

In Fig. 2 there is shown more or less in detail the arrangement of the control switch with respect to the blower motor and the control rod 29 which is controlled by movement of the gas holder 2. In this figure the switch is of the mercury type having a depressed portion in the center of the mercury tube in which portion are located the two switch terminals which are to be connected by a body of mercury within the tube. This switch is pivoted to a bracket which is attached to the motor casing. It is not essential however that the bracket be carried by the motor casing but is shown there in the interest of saving space and making the arrangement compact. As shown in Fig. 2 when the control rod moves upward until the collar 31 engages the switch control arm 32 the mercury tube is tilted so that the mercury closes the circuit through the switch contacts. This operation will cause 'energization of the motor and start the blower into operationto generate gas in the carburetor which is forced into the holder through the pipe 9. This operation will continue until the holder is filled and is in its highest position. In this position of the gas holder the collar 30 on the control rod 29 will engage the upper side of lever 32 and move the switch to open circuit position. From the drawing it will be apparent that when the gas is almost exhausted'from the holder -2 collar 31 will close the control switch as just described to start the motor.

. 'brac and gas is exhausted from the tank the collar 31 will move upwardly sufficiently to tilt the mercury switch beyond its closed position into open position so that a safety feature is presented. Under these conditions it will be necessary to reset the switch after the motor circuit has been inspected and put into operative condition.

In Fig. 2 of the drawing the lever arm is pivoted at 33 and is connected to a bracket 35 by; means of the connecting link 34. The

et 35 is pivoted at 38 on the inclosing casing 37 and carries the mercury switch 36. This switch as shown comprises a tube having a depressed portion near the center forming a pocket for the body of mercury therein and in the base of the depressed portion are located switch contacts controlling the circuit, of the motor.

From the above description it will be apparent that when the gas is exhausted from the holder 2 the motor will be set in operation and rapidly generates sufficient gas to fill the holder whereupon the motor will be stopped automatically. The entire generating set is so designed that the period of time required to generate suflicient gas to fill the holder is considerably less than the time taken to exhaust the holder of gas during the normal operation of the system.

What I claim is:

1. Gas generating apparatus comprisingin combination, a fuel tank, a gas holder tank,

. a carburetor supplied from said tank, a floating gas holder sup lied from said fuel carburetor, a blower or supplying air to said carburetor, an electric motor for driving said blower and means including an electric switch for startin said motor when the gas holder is substantially exhausted of gas and for stopping said motor when the gas holder is filled, said motor and blower being mounted on and suported by said gas holder tank.

2. In combination, a floating gas holder, a carburetor, a blower driven by an electric motor for supplying gas to said carburetor, a three position switch for controlling the motor circuit, limit means controlled by the position of the gas holder for moving the switch to off position when the holder is filled, moving the switch to closed position when the "holder is substantially exhausted of gas and moving the switch to open position upon further exhaustion of gas from the holder.

3. A. gas generator com rising a fuel tank of substantial size, a carburetor having an outer casingextending through the wall of the fuel tank and substantially to the bottom thereof so as to enclose a restricted portion of the fuel in the fuel tank, means for forcing air into the lower portion of the carburetor casing below the fuel level to pro duce a rich gas mixture, the upper portion of said casing outside of and above said tank provided with mixing chambers supplied with a limited quantity of fresh or raw air to produce the desired quality of gas.

4. A gas generator comprising'a fuel tank,

6 a carburetor casing extending downwardly to the bottom of the tank and sealed to the top wallof the tank, said casing having an opening near its bottom into said' tank so as to equalize the fuel level in the tank and cas- 10 ing, an air supply standard extending downwardly through said casing to the bottom thereof to supply air thereto below the fuel level, the upper end of said casing provided with series of gas mixing and drying pans 16 provided with alternately arranged openings to provide a relatively long path for the generated gas, said standard having an opening therein above the lowest pan to supply fresh or raw air to the rich gas produced by the air 20 supplied to the bottom of the casing.

5. A gas generator comprising a floating gas holder movably mounted upon a suitable water tank and having liquid seal therewith, a fuel tank having a carburetor casing 25 extending therein, a carburetor and means for forcing air into said fuel tank said means comprising a blower and motor and a liquid sealed conduit mounted on said water tank, means for conveying gas from said carburet- 30 or to said gas holder, and means controlled by the position of said gas holder for starting and stopping the motor.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

' WILLIAM P. PAQUETTE. 

